JP2007232573A - Vehicle-mounted navigation system, guidance information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle-mounted navigation system capable of notifying a driver of information on traffic lights present in a via-point in the vicinity of the via-point on a guidance route. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle-mounted navigation system is provided with a storage part for storing map data including traffic light data. The traffic light data includes attributes such as the type and characteristics of traffic lights. Attributes of traffic lights are, for example, standard traffic lights; time-differential traffic lights; arrow-type traffic lights, etc. The vehicle-mounted navigation system executes route guidance along a predetermined guidance route. When a vehicle reaches a location within a prescribed distance from a via-point included in the guidance route during route guidance, guidance information related to the via-point is outputted. In the case that signal lights are present at the via-point, the navigation system provides attribute information of the traffic lights as guidance information on the basis of the traffic light data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for providing guidance information in a vehicle-mounted navigation device.

  In general, a navigation device displays a predetermined range of map information on a display device around the current position of a moving body such as a vehicle. In recent years, many navigation apparatuses have a function of searching for a route to a destination arbitrarily designated by a user and performing route guidance according to the obtained route. Normally, when a vehicle reaches a position at a predetermined distance from a waypoint such as an intersection existing on the route, the navigation device provides guidance information at the waypoint to the user by a navigation image and a voice message. The waypoint is, for example, an intersection, and the guidance information at the waypoint is information that prompts the vehicle to turn right or left, for example. Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device configured such that a user can change the frequency of occurrence of such guidance information. Patent Document 2 discloses a navigation device that measures the distance from the current position to a waypoint and guides the operation timing of the direction indicator operation lever based on the distance.

JP 2003-156348 A JP 2005-328179 A

  Traffic lights are often installed at intersections where guidance information such as turning right or left of a vehicle is provided. However, there are various types of traffic signals, and there are special traffic signals that are difficult to understand whether the vehicle must be stopped or proceed. In this case, the vehicle travels very close to the intersection and the driver knows that it is such a special traffic signal only after actually seeing the traffic light. You may not be able to drive.

  The above-mentioned thing is mentioned as an example as a subject which the present invention tends to solve. An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle navigation device that allows a driver to know in advance the attribute information of a traffic signal present at a waypoint in the vicinity of the waypoint on a guidance route.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an in-vehicle navigation device, in which a vehicle has arrived within a predetermined distance from a storage unit that stores map data including traffic signal data, and a waypoint included in a predetermined guidance route A guidance unit that outputs guidance information related to the waypoint, and the guidance unit outputs attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data when a signal is present at the waypoint It is characterized by that.

  Invention of Claim 4 is the guidance information provision method performed in the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus provided with the memory | storage part which memorize | stored the map data containing traffic signal data, Comprising: From the waypoint included in the predetermined guidance route | root A step of determining that the vehicle has reached within a predetermined distance; a step of determining whether or not a traffic signal exists at the waypoint when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived; and a determination that the traffic signal exists. A step of outputting attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a guide information providing program executed by an in-vehicle navigation device including a storage unit storing map data including traffic signal data and a computer, and is included in a predetermined guidance route. When the vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance from the point, the computer is caused to function as guidance means for outputting guidance information related to the waypoint, and the guidance means has the traffic light when a signal is present at the waypoint The attribute information of the traffic signal is output based on the data.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, an in-vehicle navigation device includes a storage unit that stores map data including traffic signal data, and when a vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance from a waypoint included in a predetermined guidance route. Guidance means for outputting guidance information relating to the waypoint, and the guidance means outputs attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data when a signal is present at the waypoint.

  The vehicle-mounted navigation device includes a storage unit that stores map data including traffic signal data. The traffic signal data includes attributes such as the type and characteristics of the traffic signal. Examples of the attribute of the traffic light include a standard traffic light, a time difference traffic light, and an arrow traffic light. The in-vehicle navigation device has a function of guiding a route to a destination designated by the user, and the route guidance is executed along a predetermined guidance route. During route guidance, when a vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance from a waypoint included in a predetermined route, guidance information related to the waypoint is output. Here, when there is a traffic signal at the waypoint, the navigation device provides attribute information of the traffic signal as guidance information based on the traffic signal data. Therefore, the user can know the types and characteristics of the traffic lights before the vehicle enters the intersection, and can smoothly travel.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, a guidance information providing method executed in an in-vehicle navigation device including a storage unit that stores map data including traffic signal data is a predetermined distance from a waypoint included in a predetermined guidance route. A step of determining that the vehicle has arrived, a step of determining whether or not there is a traffic signal at the waypoint when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived, and a case of determining that a traffic signal exists And outputting attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data. According to this guidance information providing method, during route guidance, the user can know the type and characteristics of the traffic light before the vehicle enters the intersection, and smooth running is possible.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, the guidance information providing program executed by the in-vehicle navigation device including the storage unit and the computer storing the map data including the traffic signal data is included in the predetermined guide route. When the vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, the computer is caused to function as guidance means for outputting guidance information related to the waypoint, and when the signal is present at the waypoint, the guidance means Based on the above, the attribute information of the traffic signal is output. By executing this program in the in-vehicle navigation device, the user can know the type and characteristics of the traffic light before the vehicle enters the intersection during route guidance, and smooth running is possible. The guidance information providing program can be handled in a state stored in a recording medium.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle.

[Navigation device]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a self-supporting positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, an audio output. A unit 50 and an input device 60 are provided.

  The autonomous positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects vehicle acceleration, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse composed of a pulse signal generated with the rotation of the vehicle wheel.

  The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

  The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1.

  The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13, and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

  A system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and an input device 60 are mutually connected via a bus line 30. It is connected to the.

  The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

  The data storage unit 36 is configured by, for example, an HDD and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data and facility data.

  The communication device 38 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and traffic congestion and traffic information distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) center via the communication interface 37. Receive road traffic information and other information.

  The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map data read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and image information that can be displayed immediately, such as a VRAM (Video RAM). A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal of about 5 to 10 inches, and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

  The audio output unit 50 performs D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion of audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31, DVD-ROM 32, RAM 24, or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20. A D / A converter 51 to perform, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into sound and outputs the sound into the vehicle. It is prepared for.

  The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is disposed around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

  Note that the data storage unit 36 in FIG. 1 functions as a storage unit, and the system controller 20 including the CPU 22 functions as guide means.

[Map data]
Next, map data will be described. In the present embodiment, the map data is provided with attribute data for traffic lights present on the road, particularly for traffic lights present at intersections.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of map data. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the map data 130 mainly includes road data 131, background data 132, name data 133, and other data 134. The road data 131 is data indicating a geographical road, the background data 120 is data indicating the background of a map displayed on the display device, and the name data 130 is a road, facility, building, etc. displayed on the map. It is the data which shows the name of the target object.

  In this example, the road data 131 includes road position data 135, traffic light data 136 relating to traffic lights existing on the road, and other data 137. The other data 137 includes, for example, drawing data for displaying a road on the display screen.

  As illustrated, the traffic signal data includes “traffic signal ID”, “traffic signal position”, and “traffic signal attribute”. The “traffic signal ID” is information for identifying each one of a large number of traffic signals. The “traffic signal position” is information on a geographical position where each traffic signal exists, for example, latitude and longitude. The “traffic signal attribute” is information indicating the type and characteristics of each traffic signal. In the example of FIG. 2, “standard”, “time difference type”, “right turn arrow type”, “sensing type”, “push button type”, and the like are listed as traffic signal attributes. “Standard” refers to a general traffic light that repeats the display of blue, yellow, and red. The “time difference type” means that the timing at which the display color of the traffic light changes is different between the lane on one side and the opposite lane. It is provided mainly at intersections where it is difficult to make a right turn because there are many oncoming straight vehicles, and it is provided for the purpose of stopping the flow of the oncoming straight vehicles and promoting a right turn. “Right-turn arrow type” is provided at intersections where there are many right-turn vehicles, and is provided for the purpose of promoting a right turn by creating a dedicated time for a right turn. “Sensing type” is a vehicle or walking that is equipped with a vehicle-mounted sensor, a pedestrian push button, etc. on the road with less traffic at the intersection of a road with a lot of traffic and a road with less traffic. It is possible to pass on the road with less traffic only when there is a person. The “push button type” means that the vehicle-mounted traffic light is made red only when the pedestrian pushes the button, and the pedestrian is crossed. These are examples of traffic signal attributes, and other attributes can be defined.

  Thus, by including traffic signal attributes indicating the type and characteristics of traffic signals in the traffic signal data, it is possible to provide guidance information including traffic signal attribute information when a vehicle approaches an intersection during route guidance. it can.

  2 is merely an example of a map data structure including traffic signal data. In this embodiment, the map data may have any data structure as long as it includes traffic signal data.

[Route guidance]
Next, route guidance in the navigation device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a display example of a navigation image displayed on the display 44 of the navigation device 1 during route guidance. As shown in the figure, the navigation image 100 displays a map near the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is mounted (hereinafter also referred to as “own vehicle position”). A map image of a predetermined range determined by the selected scale is displayed with the own vehicle position 101 as the center. The map image includes a road 103.

  Further, the guidance route 105 used in route guidance is indicated by a bold line. The route guidance is performed as follows. When the user designates an arbitrary destination, the system controller 20 of the navigation apparatus 1 calculates a route from the vehicle position to the designated destination and presents it to the user as a search route. The user selects one of a plurality of search routes presented by the navigation device 1, and the route becomes a guidance route. The guidance route determined in this way includes intersections to be turned left and right, turning directions, and via points such as entrances and exits of expressways and toll roads. When the own vehicle position reaches a predetermined distance from the next waypoint, the system controller 20 outputs guidance information related to the next waypoint. Normally, the guidance information tells the user how to drive at the next waypoint, and for example, a voice message such as “500 meters ahead is going to the right” or “coming soon” is outputted.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the next waypoint from the vehicle position 101 is an intersection 106 indicated by a broken line, and the system controller 20 outputs guidance information when the vehicle position 101 reaches a predetermined distance from the intersection 106. . At this time, in this embodiment, when there is a traffic signal at the waypoint, the information on the traffic signal is included in the guidance information. Specifically, based on the traffic signal attribute in the traffic signal data described above, attribute information such as the type and characteristics of the traffic signal is provided as guidance information. The provision of guidance information is executed by displaying a guidance image and outputting a voice message.

  FIG. 4A shows an example of a guide image at a certain waypoint. A normal map image as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display 44 until the vehicle is near the waypoint. When the vehicle reaches within a predetermined distance from the next waypoint, a guide image 120a as illustrated in FIG. In the guidance image 120a, the direction in which the vehicle should travel at the next waypoint is indicated by the guidance route 105, and an arrow 122 indicating the traveling direction is further displayed thereon. In the guidance image 120a of FIG. 4A, guidance information indicating that the next intersection should be turned to the right is provided.

  Further, in the guide image 120a, a traffic signal mark 123 schematically showing the shape of the traffic signal is displayed, and traffic signal attribute information indicating the type and characteristics of the traffic signal is displayed as a message 124. Specifically, a message 124 “This is a time difference signal!” Is displayed.

  This is the provision of guidance information by a guidance image. In addition, when the guidance image 120a is displayed on the display 44, the navigation apparatus 1 provides guidance information by a voice message. For example, the navigation device 1 outputs a voice message such as "The next intersection is in the right direction. Be careful because it is a time difference signal."

  FIG. 4B shows another guide image example. In the guide image 120b, the traveling direction of the vehicle is the right direction like the guide image 120a, except that the traffic light is an arrow type. Accordingly, the traffic signal attribute information is displayed on the guide image 120b as a message 124 “It is an arrow signal!”. The traffic light mark 123 also has an arrow signal shape. In this case, for example, a voice message such as “Next intersection is in the right direction. Be careful because it is an arrow-type signal.” Is output together with the guidance image 120b.

  Next, route guidance processing will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of route guidance processing. This process is realized by the CPU 22 of the navigation device 1 executing a program stored in advance in the ROM 23 or the like.

  First, the user operates the input device 60 to specify a destination, and the CPU 22 receives it (step S11). Then, the CPU 22 searches for the route from the vehicle position to the set destination and presents it to the user, and determines the route selected by the user as the guidance route (step S12).

  Next, CPU22 acquires the information of the next waypoint of the own vehicle position among a plurality of waypoints existing on the guidance route (step S13), and whether or not the waypoint is an intersection having a traffic signal. Is determined (step S14). When there is a traffic signal at the next waypoint (step S14; Yes), the CPU 22 acquires the guidance information and traffic signal attributes at the intersection from the map data 130 in the data storage unit 36 (step S15). In this case, the guidance information is information indicating the traveling direction (for example, a right turn) at the intersection, and the traffic signal attribute is information indicating the type and characteristics of the traffic signal at the intersection.

  When the vehicle position reaches within a predetermined distance from the next waypoint (step S16; Yes), the CPU 22 provides the user with the guidance information (including the traffic signal attribute information) acquired in step S15 (step S17). . In this case, the guidance information is provided by the guidance image and the voice message as described above.

  Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the own vehicle position has reached the destination (step S18), and ends the route guidance process if it has reached. On the other hand, if the destination has not been reached, the process returns to step S13, and steps S13 to S17 are repeated for the next waypoint on the guidance route. Thus, guidance information is provided for all waypoints on the guidance route. At that time, when the waypoint has a traffic signal, the traffic signal attribute information is provided as the guide information. Therefore, the user can know the type and characteristics of the traffic lights before the vehicle enters the intersection, and can prepare for traveling at the intersection.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the navigation apparatus 1 includes the data storage unit 36 that stores the map data 130 including the traffic signal data, and the vehicle within a predetermined distance from the waypoint included in the predetermined guidance route. And a system controller 20 that outputs guidance information when it arrives. When there is a signal at the waypoint, the system controller 20 outputs attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data. Therefore, since the user can know in advance the attribute of the next traffic signal in the route guidance, the confusion at the intersection can be minimized and smooth travel can be achieved. This also leads to suppressing the occurrence of traffic jams at intersections.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus by an Example. The data structure example of the map data containing traffic signal data is shown. An example of a navigation image is shown. The example of the guidance image displayed at the waypoint during route guidance is shown. It is a flowchart of a route guidance process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 10 Self-supporting positioning apparatus 18 GPS receiver 20 System controller 22 CPU
36 Data storage unit 40 Display unit 60 Input device

Claims (6)

A storage unit for storing map data including traffic signal data;
Guidance means for outputting guidance information related to the waypoint when the vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance from the waypoint included in the predetermined guide route;
The in-vehicle navigation device characterized in that the guidance means outputs attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data when a signal is present at the waypoint.   The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information of the traffic signal is information indicating a type or characteristic of the traffic signal.   The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the types of the traffic lights include a time difference traffic light and an arrow traffic light. A guidance information providing method executed in a vehicle-mounted navigation device including a storage unit that stores map data including traffic signal data,
Determining that the vehicle has arrived within a predetermined distance from a waypoint included in the predetermined guidance route;
When it is determined that the vehicle has arrived, a step of determining whether or not there is a traffic light at the waypoint;
And a step of outputting attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data when it is determined that a traffic signal exists. A guide information providing program executed by an in-vehicle navigation device including a storage unit and a computer storing map data including traffic signal data,
When the vehicle arrives within a predetermined distance from a waypoint included in a predetermined guide route, the computer is caused to function as guide means for outputting guidance information related to the waypoint,
The guide means provides a guide information providing program for outputting attribute information of the traffic signal based on the traffic signal data when a signal is present at the waypoint.   6. A recording medium on which the guidance information providing program according to claim 5 is recorded.

Images